Sing Hosanna for fickle me may have found my divine match in Antipodes

Some reviews, especially anything related to skin care, can’t be rushed. And sometimes, two or three is almost certainly better than one. These 2 tenets have held true for me, in trying out these Antipodes products – the Divine Oil, Hosanna Serum and Apostle Serum which I’ve been playing about in different ways for nearly 3 months.

I’ve tried only one other item from Antipodes, a certified Organic brand from New Zealand, which is the Juliet cleanser. I liked it, and I’m still using it every morning because I like how my skin feels and how non-drying it is. I haven’t experienced any change in scent or texture so I’ll keep using it till that happens. It says a lot about me if I stick to a product, because I’m one of the most fickle people out there when it comes to skin cleansers 😛

I started out trying the Hosanna Intense Hydrating Serum a few months ago. By way of preliminary opinion then, I thought it really nice. It is non oily, being water based, and absorbs quickly into my skin and it did seem to help keep my skin feeling hydrated. I liked it, but I wasn’t in love with it.

But then came the Divine Face Oil and that sort of changed everything. I have been on this skincare combination for a couple of months now, and I love it. I was told that this was the “3 Perfect Potions” and whilst the 3 products work well together, I prefer to only use a combination of 2 items. I’ll tell you what I think of each item and then tell you which I like 😉

Hosanna Intense Hydrating Serum – RM142/25ml

This product seems to have had a name change to Hosanna H2O Intensive Skin Plumping Serum but I hope it is the same thing. 25ml does seem like very little, but as you only use about 2 drops each time, its alright, and the one bottle I have is still going strong although I’ve been using it daily for a few months.

The product comes in a brown glass bottle, with a dropper style dispenser. 2 drops is all you need, smoothed over clean skin before moisturiser, and it absorbs almost immediately into skin without leaving a sticky feel, and skin feels lovely and hydrated and plumped up thereafter. I was using this on its own together with other skincare for a while and it does do a good job at boosting skin hydration so if you are into organic products and want something that really does help dehydrated skin, this serum is worth taking a look at. I’m always on the lookout for hydrating products and this fit right into my routine.

The only drawback is that it doesn’t smell super pleasant. The scent reminds me of the Juliet cleanser – a little musky but I, for some strange reason like it.

Divine Face Oil Organic Avocado Oil and Rosehip – RM128/25ml

I know what some of you are thinking. Oils on my face? Won’t that make my oily skin even oilier? Actually, that’s a common fallacy and oily skin can benefit from using face oils too. The Divine Face Oil on its own does feel a bit oily and heavy. Personally, I don’t like using it on its own either.

Again 25ml seems like very little, but you only need 2 drops each time, and the dropper makes is super easy to ensure you get that 2 precious drops. I only use it in the evenings, and I have only used very little from the bottle so I can expect this bottle to last quite a while. If you want to use it on its own, just drop 2 drops in your palm, smooth it between your palms to warm it up and then press on your skin and massage it in if you prefer. It is not oily once you let it absorb into skin, and makes my skin feel comfortable. You can also use it in the day, but I find it too heavy so I only use it in the evening, as my night moisturiser and it works well. My skin feels comfortable and not dry when I wake up, even though I’m in an air-conditioned room.

Again, on its own, I thought it was ok, but not wonderful. It makes my skin feel comfortable and non oily but it sort of lacked an oomph. The oil has a scent too, that again, isn’t terribly pleasant but not unpleasant either. It was only after I combined it with the serums that I actually found myself appreciating how well my skin took to it 😉

Apostle Skin-Brightening and Tone-Correcting Serum – RM208/30ml

This one is the only serum I feel “meh” about. “Meh”, if you are wondering, is that feeling where you go “So, I tried it. What’s the fuss then?” I used this Apostle serum on its own for a while but I found it a little drying on my skin and I don’t know if there was any skin brightening or tone correcting benefits, but my skin at that point was not at its best and didn’t look like it was getting better. Needless to say, I wasn’t too bothered about this serum.

Truth be told, even after combining the potions as advised, I still don’t find any great benefit from using the Apostle serum. Most days, I just skip it. Maybe it could work over a long term, but I’m using other products that give me much better results and better skin overall so I’m happy to skip this one totally.

Antipodes 3 Perfect Potions… or maybe Just 2

So apparently, these 3 products – Divine Face Oil, Hosanna Serum and Apostle Serum – work very well together and form the Holy Trinity of 3 Perfect Potions. The Divine Face Oil acts as the hydrating moisturiser that strengthens skin, while the Hosanna Serum hydrates and plumps up skin and the Apostle Serum brightens and evens skin tone.

Its terribly easy to use too, just drop 2 drops of each product into the palm of your hand, blend it by pressing your palms together and then apply onto skin.

(1) Hosanna Serum (2) Divine Face Oil (3) Apostle Serum

When you blend the serums with the Divine Face Oil, the first thing you’d notice is that it stops feeling oily, and sinks into skin almost immediately. I think its because you end up with a 2/3 serum 1/3 oil ratio which is, I believe optimum for skin and absorption.

As for the Apostle Serum, remember I said it felt drying on my skin when used on its own (even with other products)? It no longer does. This combination of products makes my skin feel plumped, hydrated and very comfortable to the extent that I feel no need to use other products in the evening.

However, because I’m on the fence about the Apostle Serum, I usually skip it when mixing my potions. I do 2 drops of Divine Oil mixed with 2 drops of Hosanna Serum and I like the slightly oilier feel which sits well with my skin. It must be noted that I do have skin that is a little dry so this might be why it feels comfortable to me. It doesn’t look or feel like an oil slick though. In a few minutes, its all absorbed and it looks normal.

Has it helped my skin look better? I cannot tell you. The reason is because I have taken to using a strong Vitamin C + E serum in the evenings that I credit with the improvement in my overall skin texture. However, I also use this combination of products in the evenings as my night moisturizer (my evening routine is super simple now by comparison!) and its all looking good because my skin looks and feels hydrated and firm and just looks good overall. So good, I’m not thinking of stopping 🙂

In a nutshell

Antipodes is a certified organic skincare brand from New Zealand. These three products – Divine Face Oil, Hosanna Serum and Apostle Serum – can be used separately but work very well together on skin. The Divine Face Oil is light but on its own, can feel a little heavy on skin. It however does absorb quite easily and my skin does feel very comfortable and hydrated with it on. The Hosanna Serum is a hydrating serum that is water based and very comfortable on skin. I like how it hydrates my skin and keeps it hydrated and plumped up. It is a good product on its own. I’m on the fence about the Apostle Serum which, on its own, I find a little drying and did not give me great benefit. Blended together, all three products work well, feel comfortable and absorb very easily into skin, leaving skin looking and feeling hydrated and plumped and in my case, generally looking good. I however tend to use only the Divine Face Oil + Hosanna Serum because I’m not sold on the Apostle Serum. If you only want to pick one, I’d pick the Hosanna Serum because I think it does an excellent job at hydrating skin. If you want to try a face oil, the Divine Face Oil is worth a go. I think these two are sufficient and you probably don’t need the Apostle Serum.

Pros: Hosanna Serum is a very good hydrating serum that absorbs quickly into skin and plumps up skin and makes it feel very comfortable, Divine Face oil isn’t very sticky nor thick and absorbs well into skin, Oil feels smooth, Divine Oil blends well with the serums and becomes less oily, Divine Oil + Hosanna Serum makes a good night moisturiser for me

Cons: Pricey, Apostle Serum felt drying on my skin when used on its own or with other skincare, Some people may not like the ‘natural’ scents

Who will like this: Anyone familiar with the concept of using face oils, Anyone who wants to try organic skincare that works well

I have tried a few face oils but have never really stuck to any. The one I stuck to the longest was the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery which doesn’t work the same way, if you are wondering. I find that the Divine Face Oil can be likened to a face moisturiser while I treat the MRC as a serum or a booster. Its different stuff 🙂

Itching to try these now!

Have you tried either of these products whether separately or together? How do you feel about using a face oil?

I must say that I’ve been very happy with this for use in the evenings and I haven’t used a “night cream” for months now. It works well, and now that I combine it with my Vitamin C + E serum, I’m reaping huge benefits and my skin has never looked better *touchwood* I think I might have really found a keeper this time 😀 I’ve actually been happy with products I’ve tried from Antipodes and I’m thinking of trying their Butter Cleanser (looks similar to the Eve Lom one!) and Body Oil the next time I stop by the store or maybe just get them online. Yeah, me and my body oils 😀

YOU MAY FIND THESE THESE POSTS HELPFUL TOO!

About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and facilitate discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. Let the buyer's remorse be ours not yours! When not testing the newest skincare creams and lotions, or playing with makeup, find her testing her culinary skills in the kitchen at Chez PB. Read more about us here or leave a comment below or connect with us on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

Hi Fiona! Ever since being introduced to Antipodes, I’ve actually found myself liking quite a few of their products, even if they are organic. I say even, because I don’t usually use organic products since few brands have ever really worked for me, and the prices tend to be quite prohibitive. Lucky you to be able to get it right from the source! 😀 Thanks for coming by and I hope to see you around more often! 😉

I was hoping that brightening serum is the one you like and that it made your blemishes or anything else fade away! 😀 Oh how wrong I was! I have problem with blemishes around my mouth and nose and nothing seems to work 😀

Ah yeah, the brightening one was the one that didn’t work well for me 🙁 For lightening, I have had good luck with Clinique Even Better serum which does a quick job, while the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Serum takes a longer time. Also, have you tried something with Vitamin C? I find that it helps lighten blemishes too!

Paris, now I need to go to Kiehl’s and sephora! I didn’t try, Im so scared to use anything new to be honest because of retinoids my skin is sooo sensitive! I thought about trying serums with vitamin C but of course I always forget… Thank you so much for your answer! I need to check these products out!!

These sound good, and I might want to try that Hosanna serum! I’ve been madly in love with my Aesop dry oil (the parsley seed one) for 2 months, but I do think mixing it in a water-based serum helps it absorb a lot faster!

Haha good to know we are on the same page for all 3, Plue! I wasn’t keen on Apostle so its not something I’d repurchase, but I will definitely consider Hosanna and the Divine Oil. My skin seems to love them! I tried blending MRC and Divine OIl once but it didn’t work. I don’t think they play very well together, for me that is. Layering them might be a separate matter 🙂

I’ve only just started using this trio and so far it’s not too bad. Still at the observation stage 😉 I’m about to use up my ANR, and I’m planning to use this trio alone, to see what the effect is. Fingers crossed because I haven’t been without the ANR for a long time!!

I’m a huge huge HUGE advocate of using face oils! But I’m keeping it simple, only Melvita Calendula Oil and Melvita Sweet Almond Oil. And yes contrary to popular belief unless you slather a huge amount of oil on your face it does not make your skin any more oilier (I tried it on myself, with my dry/sensitive/dehydrated skin, and also on my boyfriend, with oily/combination skin) so moderation is always key 😀 Hmm the Divine Face Oil looks very tempting but I am happy with my skincare routine as it is so a little dilemma there haha! 😛

Yay for face oils! 🙂 I haven’t tried the ones you mentioned, but the Melvita Rosehip Oil broke me out so I was a bit hesitant to try others. I think I prefer blended oils because they seem to work better for my skin, than straight oils. Still, different skins will react differently I guess, and you’re right. There’s an oil for everyone, regardless of skintype

I use the three combined in the morning after the Resurrect toner/face mist, it keeps my face nicely hydrated, not oily at all (i have dry to combi skin) and comfortable the whole day. Maybe like you mentioned, the Apostle counters the oiliness therefore it is better used together? I am really loving the products. I use it at night too, sometimes, because I have a whole other night regime haha.

I have also tried the manuka honey mask, but that didn’t do much for me.

I will be getting the Juliet cleanser next. Oh wow, I sound like an Antipodes ad! 😛

Ahhh its so nice to hear from an Antipodes fan 😀 I’m planning to try the cleanser because I think its so similar to that Eve Lom one, yet this is organic so it would be nice to see how it works. The Juliet cleanser is pretty good stuff now that I’m on it for months. I don’t think it does brighten skin etc, but it cleans skin without stripping it and I like that!

Me too, been using Hosanna Intense Hydrating Serum alone for few months. There was this promotion about the 3 serums combination at RM388, but I wasn’t keen to have brightening and i’m still having half a botle if rosehip oil from Renew hence I skipped the other 2 serums. I like Hosanna very much as Paris B mentioned, non oily, doesn’t sit on skin and fast absorbent. It smells heavenly to me. I don’t really feel much hydrating if using it alone. With the combination of Hosanna and Roeehip Oil, ohhh laaa ! Perfectly hydrates my skin without any other moisturizer needed. I do have very dry skin, and this is very sufficient for my night routine.

Great to know we think alike about the Hosanna serum! Its great to know that it works well with other oils too. I might try it on a bottle of rosehip oil that I find too heavy and oily for my skin. Maybe it’ll help too! 😀

I’ve never heard of Antipodes before but now I’m seriously intrigued! My girlfriends have been raving about rosehip oil for their skin recently and coming up to the cooler weather I’m already finding my face dry daily. Thanks for the detailed reviews, I’m going to give them a try asap!

I m using antipodes 3 perfect potions plus a drop of melvita Argan oil and a drop of melvita evening primrose oil. I mixed all of it together. Didn’t break me out at all and they do not make my skin oily. I have combination oily skin with dehydration and enlarge pores problem. Been using them for two weeks now. Started of with antipodes 3 perfect potions – has been using them for more than two months. Pores seemed smaller now. Used to use ANR with no significant effect.

I’ve been using a combination of Hisanna+Apostle+Divine Face Oil as a night cream, 2 drops from each bottle. My skin looks good in the morning, not oily at all. I use Hisanna+Apostle (3 drops of each) in the morning as serum, followed by Antipodes’ Rejoice light facial day cream. I think these products make my pores looks smaller and skin more hydrated overall. I also use their Annanda antioxidant-rich gentle toner and the butter cleanser. I have sensitive skin and I find Antipodes products very safe to use.

Been using Antipodes products for 6 months already and lovin it! I have acne skin and now it’s getting clearer. At first I tried Hosanna serum and Manuka Honey mask, love them both but I don’t think I’d buy the mask again since it would finish too soon. Then now I’m using the juliet cleanser, Ananda toner, Hosanna and the day cream. I have oily skin, but these good stuffs make it go away! Since Divine oil works for you I think I should give it a try for evening routine, coz now i’m using the toner and 5 drops of Hosanna only in the evening and i think it’s not enough. It feels good when i find my favorite skin products yay! \(^o^)/ *sounds like a promoter :P*